Happy 2017! It’s hard to believe I haven’t blogged in a month, but it’s been nice to focus on our latest addition and adjusting to our new norm. I’ll touch on all of that a bit more later this week, but I wanted to turn my attention back to sharing the space I created for Domino with you all. Because she was born right before the One Room Challenge reveal, I didn’t get a chance to go into much detail and the why’s behind the design and furnishings. But maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. Now that I’ve had a few months to really use the space, I feel like I can give you a more honest glimpse.
The most common question I received when I revealed the space and what we were turning it into was “how are you going to put a baby in there with all of those windows?” It was a legitimate question, and one of the first I had myself as I was concepting the room. There are nine windows and one full glass door to this south-facing sunroom…not exactly a napper’s delight, and we certainly want our baby to be a great napper. However, when The Shade Store came on board as a sponsor for the Challenge I knew I had my answer: blackout shades.
With that wallpaper being the star, the window coverings needed to be sleek and understated. And they also needed to be super practical. Roller shades can go from full coverage to virtually invisible in a matter of seconds. The Shade Store’s blackout roller shades with the fabric valance were just the thing I was looking for. Window treatments are an investment, but one that is justifiable in form and function. When I invest in quality, I tend to go neutral. These are the Hudson fabric in Cream, and the bit of contrast between the fabric and the stark white trim feels more luxe without being distracting.
I’ve used corded shades before that take lots of tugging to get up and down. These require only two pulls to shut out the sun (or nighttime cold) or let in the shine. In less than a minute this room can go from dark to light and vice versa.
I certainly wanted a space that could go dark for Domino to rest, but it was also important to combat the sun in my office area. Working on a computer that is covered in glare is never fun, especially when one is editing photos. I love that I can have a nice view of the trees from my desk, but easily shut out distractions and light when need be.
The Shade Store offers a wide variety of completely customizable window treatments in loads of patterns and colors. Whether you visit a store, order online, or have someone come to your home for measurement and installation, they’re at the ready to assist you in getting the perfect fit and function for your space. This was my first time ordering roller shades, and I had a few personal bumps along the road, but the team was incredibly helpful in making my wrongs right and doing so in a speedy manner. Speaking of speedy, everything ships in 7 days or less – unheard of in the world of custom decor!
I love our roller shades, what’s your take on them? Do you prefer blinds or curtains?
Thank you to The Shade Store for sponsoring the One Room Challenge. All opinions and selections are my own.
I love our roller shades! We actually have solar shades in our sunroom and that led me to put them throughout the house. They cut out so much light and yet they also make it hard to see in but I can still see out.
That sounds really nice! We have several rooms in our house that get intense sun and I really need to get some coverings. I think they’d help our utility bills and also save the furniture from fading!
I have used roller shades for years and have loved them for the bedroom. Our recent addition of our master bedroom in the basement called for a room darkening shade. However, this window faced the neighbours and I knew my privacy loving husband would never allow me to have the up. Since I love light – especially in the basement – I knew we needed a different alternative. For this room we went with cordlss dual cellular shades. You put down the full shade and it is a blackout shade. Then you pull up another handle and it is a sheer shade that allows light to come in but you are unable to see in. The best of both worlds! An unexpected bonus was the insulation factor as well for the basement. 🙂 I still really like roller shades where you don’t need continuous privacy and are just looking for room darkening but I recommend these dual shades when need both privacy and room darkening.
Beth
Those sound great, Beth! I do love cordless, the larger windows on the ends of the room are cordless, but the windows on the long wall are too small to go cordless. Thankfully the cords are super nice and efficient!
I used custom room darkening roller shades in our Youth Room that has 4 huge windows. They watch a lot of movies in that space but also want it bright and cheerful for other activities and it has worked out super. We live in a hot, sunny climate and two of the windows are west facing so it also keeps out the excessive heat.
So smart for TV spaces!
I love the shades! They are the perfect treatment for the room – don’t compete with the wallpaper, are very functional and pretty at the same time. The valance gives a very finished/tailored look.
Thanks so much, Noel!
Congratulations – great job and lovely photos!
Thank you, Ann!
I love this room! And those shades have changed my mind. I’ve stayed away from rollers because I thought they looked too commercial. But I love these, and the valences soften them. For an outside mount, would you hang them high above the windows, as you would with Roman shades or curtains?
Yes, Sarah, I actually ordered them first without the valances and then decided they really needed them. So much more luxe and a bit cleaner too. I think if you’re doing an outside roller you would still want to keep it pretty tight. Because the roller is more of a discrete shade and less of a decoration (like a roman is) I think you want to minimize it when opened instead of maximizing, if that makes sense.